Good Morning everyone,

This morning I took part in an online IDL training – this was designed for parents but it has given me an insight into what the children see from their end. I have taken notes during this meeting – I thought it might be a good idea to share these with you to refer to if you experience any difficulties using the program.

• Use the IDL website – this has a resource tab which has a parents guide. This guide has links to youtube videos to aid with using the program.
• You have to use the program through google chrome, other internet servers will freeze and cause some issues.
• There is a new ipad app- IDL2mobile it has to be the 2.0.3 version
• If using an older ipad (below 1os 10) it might not work. IDL recommend using a laptop rather than an ipad.
• You will not be able to use a mobile for idl
• make sure the microphone is turned on, you wont be able to complete the lesson (particularly in literacy) if this is switched off.
• If you have headphones please let your child use these. It will help to take the distractions away
• Any messages from the teacher will pop up on the right hand side of the child’s home screen.
• If a child has a dyslexic diagnosis and have a preferred background colour to make reading easier – they can change this through the colour tab on the home screen.
• spelling book tab has 3 learning modules, its not commonly used
• typing book tab – revision for using the keyboard
• literacy / numeracy tabs will take the children into their next lesson
• no need to sit with the child, they can complete this independently.
• Assistance button can be used during the literacy lessons, you need to make sure this button is switched off, if it is not switched off you will not be able to move to the next lesson
• if there are any issues with the program freezing / not progressing through a lesson and you have followed all the points made above. It is likely to be a software issue so is best to get in touch with idl themselves.
• This program incorporates new learning and revision
• Teacher can see how the child is progressing through the learning, and their time on each day. Parents will not be able to see this.

I hope this helps, I am new to IDL as well and I found this really helpful.

Miss Butler